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The birthplace of the automotive industry and the Motown sound, Detroit is enjoying a renaissance.
Detroit earned its nickname "Motor City" when it was the thriving center of the American automotive industry in the early 1900s. Many extraordinary buildings were constructed during the height of the city's wealth. In addition to its architectural significance, Detroit has been a source of influential culture, especially in music as the birthplace of Motown Records.
In recent years, some of the historic buildings have been revitalized as hotels and a thriving foodie scene has emerged. In all, there's much to recommend in Detroit and here are a few of the best ways to spend a visit.
Celebrate Motor City with an architecture tour
Office Buildings in downtown Detroit.
Start your visit to Detroit with a tour of the city's historic landmark buildings, some of which have been recently renovated and transformed into hotels, such as the Shinola Hotel and The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. Essential viewing is the Guardian Building, an art deco masterpiece that's designated a National Historic Landmark. Featuring one of the most incredible lobbies in the world, it is decorated with the famous Detroit pottery's Pewabic ceramic tile, and has a custom made clock designed by Tiffany. The architect of the Guardian, Wirt C. Rowland, also designed the 47-story Penobscot Building, which opened in 1928. Another art deco design gem, the building was the tallest in Michigan until the GM Renaissance Center was built. Continue your tour with a drink at The Detroit Club, built in 1891 and also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spend an afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts
With more than 65,000 artworks in its permanent collection, the Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States. Highlights include the American Art collection of more than 5,000 artworks dating from 1660-1950 and Rivera Court, twenty-seven panels of frescoes depicting the auto industry painted by Mexican artist Diego Rivera during a visit in 1932 with his wife Frida Kahlo. The museum also presents temporary exhibitions throughout the year. One opening in the fall of 2019 will be a show on African-American art, drawn from private collections. A hotel close to the gallery that has loads of character is the Inn on Ferry Street, located in four restored Victorian mansions.
Tour the Motown Museum
Exterior of Motown Museum in Detroit, the original location of Motown Music record company
The Motown Museum is packed with artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia in a house that's the actual site of Motown Records established in 1959 by Berry Gordy. See where the careers of legends like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie and many more were launched. Make sure to book your tickets in advance as tours are often sold out. Follow your musical tour with dinner at one of Detroit's most popular dining destinations, the Apparatus Room in the Detroit Foundation hotel, headed up by chef Thomas Lents (formerly of three Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas).
Tour Corktown
Michigan Central Station in Corktown, Detroit
Dating back to 1834, Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in Detroit, is named after Irish immigrants who settled in the area and its streets are lined with historic, colorful Victorian homes, artist's studios and vintage shops. Coffee houses, cocktail bars and many of the city's most popular restaurants are also in the area. And dominating the neighborhood is the impressive Beaux-Arts Central Station which was in use from 1913-1988, after which it fell into disrepair until purchased by the Ford Motor Company. Ford is renovating the building into new headquarters which will include shops and restaurants on the main floor. The site will be under construction until 2022 but the overall neighborhood is already worth a visit. Trumbull & Porter in the heart of Corktown is a great hotel choice.
Take a spin at the Henry Ford Museum
The bus made famous by civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks on display at The Henry Ford Museum in ... [+]
Detroit was where Henry Ford conceived the idea of manufacturing affordable cars on an assembly line, thus leading to the city becoming "Motor City," the center of the world's auto industry. The history of the industry is well documented in Henry Ford's fascinating museum that will amuse any visitor, especially car lovers and history buffs. Visitors can see the limousine in which JFK was assassinated and the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. The Henry, an Autograph Collection hotel, is a great choice near the museum.
Enjoy the high notes at the Detroit Opera House
Detroit Opera House, in Detroit, Michigan (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ... [+]
The Detroit Opera House presents opera, musical theatre and dance productions of the Michigan Opera. It originally opened in 1922, as the Capitol Theater and at the time of its opening night, the 4,250-seat theater was the fifth largest in the world. Today the Opera House can accommodate 2,700 guests. Located in downtown Detroit’s Entertainment District, it was designed by renowned Detroit architect C. Howard Crane who also designed the nearby Fox Theatre as well as other iconic Detroit buildings. Further afield, he designed the original Earl's Court Exhibition Center in London. If you want to stay near the Detroit Opera House, the Shinola Hotel is just two blocks away.
Take a stroll along the RiverWalk
The waterfront walkway in Detroit downtown
For a bicycle ride, scenic jog or an easy stroll, head to the river. Along the city's riverfront a 5.5-mile promenade runs from Rosa Parks Boulevard to the Belle Isle Bridge offering outstanding views of the Detroit River beyond. For a pleasant stay at the river, book a room at Roberts Riverwalk Urban Resort Hotel, a historic red-brick property built in 1902.
Appreciate the sounds and history of Techno Nightclubs
Disco Dancing in Detroit Night Club (Photo by James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images)
As the birthplace of techno music, Detroit offers a multitude of nightclubs playing that genre. Influenced by a wide variety of electronic and funk music, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson or "the Belleville Three" as they're still known, invented their own distinctive sound and started producing records in the 1980s, achieving international fame. All three DJs continue to tour today. To experience Detroit techno and more, it's not necessary to go to a subterranean venue. Check out the Exodus Lounge, a large rooftop that's the only year-round, indoor-outdoor lounge in Detroit. After dancing the night away at Exodus, it will be a relief that your hotel is just a short walk if you're staying at The Siren Hotel.
